JICA never to stop cooperation with Bangladesh

Dhaka, May 25 – President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Dr Shinichi Kitaoka on Thursday said Japan will never stop cooperation with Bangladesh, as the two countries have been enjoying very good relations.
“Japan will never stop cooperation with Bangladesh,” JICA President Dr Shinichi Kitaoka said when he met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganobhaban in the evening.PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.
Mentioning that Bangladesh and Japan have been enjoying good relations, the JICA President said, “We’re very much satisfied with the security measures under your leadership.”
In reply to Prime Minister’s comments about various initiatives that her government has taken to fight terrorism, he said, “People’s eyes are the best defence and it’s a very good move you’ve taken.”
Kitaoka went on saying, “I’m really impressed to see the development taken place in Bangladesh under your dynamic leadership. You’ve overcome so many hurdles and it’s our pleasure to contribute to Bangladesh’s development.”
He highly appreciated Bangladesh’s achievements in the millennium development goals (MDGs).
The JICA chief also assured the Prime Minister that his organisation will contribute to infrastructure development and education.
He also said Muslims from Bangladesh, Indonesia and Malaysia are working with reputation in Japan and they are not creating any problem there.
Sheikh Hasina conveyed her condolences to the families of the seven Japanese nationals who were killed in the terror attack on the Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka last year.
Noting that terrorism is a global problem, she said, “We’ve taken all steps to combat it.”
The Prime Minister also referred to her videoconferencing with the cross-section of people to create awareness among them against terrorism and militancy. “Awareness has been created against terrorism and militancy.”
She reiterated that the source of money and arms used in militancy has to be stopped to check the twin menaces of terrorism and militancy. “Terrorists are terrorists and they’ve no boundaries.”
Hasina said her government has been doing its best to ensure security in the country where all religious festivals are celebrated by the people of all faiths.
Recalling the visit of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Japan back in 1973, she said, “There’s a special place for Japan in my heart.”
Listing some of the macroeconomic achievements over the last few years, she said the GDP growth has reached 7.24 percent in the outgoing fiscal year which was 7.11 percent in the previous fiscal year.
About the traffic jam in the capital and other big cities, Hasina said the country’s economy is getting better as people are now buying more cars.
Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, PMO Senior Secretary Suraiya Begum, Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Masato Watanabe and Bangladesh Ambassador to Japan Rabab Fatima were present.